Cleaning Implement

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning implement, particularly to a toilet cleaning implement, comprising a handle having a grip portion, and an at least partially flexible cleaning body that is attached to handle at an end thereof facing away from the grip portion, wherein the cleaning body is provided, at least partially on its surface, with a plurality of elevated cleaning elements, wherein at least the handle or the cleaning body is provided with an antimicrobially effective substance. Preferably, the antimicrobially effective substance comprises silver-containing components that particularly comprise colloidal silver and are preferably arranged to emit silver ions.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application PCT/EP2013/064382, filed on Jul. 8, 2013 designating the U.S., which international patent application has been published in German language and claims priority from German patent application 10 2012 106 164.5, filed on Jul. 10, 2012. The entire content of that priority application is fully incorporated by reference herewith.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning implement, particularly to a toilet cleaning implement, comprising a handle having a grip portion, and a cleaning body that is attached to the handle at an end thereof facing away from the grip portion.

Cleaning implements for sanitary installations are commonly known. This is may particularly include manual cleaning implements, for instance toilet brushes. Commonly, hand guided toilet brushes comprise an elongated handle that may be grasped at an end thereof by a user. At the opposite end of the handle for instance a bristle head may be arranged that comprises a plurality of cleaning bristles. By means of the bristle head deposits may be removed, as the case may be with the help of water or cleaning agents, to clean a WC or a toilet, particularly a toilet bowl of a toilet, for instance.

AT 139 246 B discloses tooth brushes and head brushes comprising bristles that are operative in a germinal killing fashion. For instance, the bristles may be formed from silver wire or may consist of a wire that is covered with a silver compound.

From DE 20 2012 000 394 U1 WC toilet brushes and urinal brushes are known that comprise a brush body composed of an injection-molded plastic material, wherein further nylon bristles are provided to which silver particles may be applied.

DE 20 2007 002 843 U1 discloses a cleaning implement for cleaning smooth surfaces that comprises a grip and a cleaning head that consists of one or more cleaning tongues that are arranged in a fashion parallel to the grip and/or parallel to the cleaning surface. The cleaning head may be doped with silver ions and/or Teflon.

WO 2007/012210 A2 discloses a cleaner comprising a disposable wiping bag, wherein the cleaner comprises a holder comprising a grip part, and wherein further a wipe body and disposable wiping bags are provided that can be attached in a releasable fashion.

A cleaning implement for a toilet is known from GB 2484330 A that comprises a grip portion and a cleaning portion, wherein at least a part of the cleaning portion comprises a material that comprises non-sticking features.

In addition so-called “bristle-less” toilet cleaning implements are known in the art. By way of example, DE 20 2005 011 730 U1 discloses a bristle-less toilet brush that consists of a handle and a cleaning surface region that comprises a plurality of single surfaces. Particularly, the known bristle-less toilet cleaning implement may comprise a cleaning surface region that comprises cleaning surfaces that are arranged in a star pattern. The cleaning surfaces may be particularly arranged in a lamellar fashion. Overall, the cleaning surface region comprises a contour that may for instance resemble the contour of a conventional bristle head which is generally defined by the position, orientation and length of the single bristles.

Common cleaning implements provide sufficiently known cleaning features and/or cleaning effects. Generally, the cleaning effect of known cleaning implements for WC and/or toilet bowls may be considered as being sufficient with the aid of water (water flushing), as the case may be with the addition of biological or chemical cleaning agents. This may particularly apply to known toilet brushes. Modified embodiments, for instance the “bristle-less” toilet brush disclosed in DE 20 2005 011 730 U1, set themselves the goal to optimize the cleaning effect and particularly the performance characteristics of the cleaning implements.

In view of this it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a cleaning implement, particularly a toilet cleaning implement, that enables, with simple design, a further improved handling, while maintaining the cleaning effect.

It is a further object of the present disclosure to present a cleaning implement that is particularly suitable for long-term use.

It is yet another object of the present disclosure to present a cleaning implement that provides an aesthetically pleasant external appearance, also after long-term use.

SUMMARY

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a cleaning implement, particularly a toilet cleaning implement, comprising a handle having a grip portion, and an at least partially flexible cleaning body that is attached to the handle at an end thereof facing away from the grip portion, wherein the cleaning body is provided, at least partially on its surface, with a plurality of elevated cleaning elements, wherein at least the handle or the cleaning body is provided with an antimicrobially effective substance, wherein the cleaning body is formed from an elastic plastic material, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is admixed to the plastic material or applied to the plastic material as a component of a coating, wherein the cleaning body comprises a tongue-like base body extending from a bottom that is attached to the handle, and wherein the base body comprises a main extension direction that substantially coincides with a main extension direction of the handle.

The object of the disclosure is perfectly achieved in this way.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the antimicrobially effective substance may namely contribute to a reduction, or total or nearly total prevention of a contamination or a microbial infestation of the cleaning implement. The cleaning objects that have to be cleaned with the cleaning implement, particularly toilet bowls, generally have a large water throughput such that very little remaining surface contamination or deposition occurs over time with sufficiently frequent cleaning procedures.

On the other hand, the cleaning implements, particularly the toilet cleaning implements, that are used for cleaning the cleaning objects are commonly received and contained between distinct cleaning procedures in suitable receivers or holders. The receivers may include pot-shaped, bag-shaped, bowl-shaped or similarly shaped bodies. Generally, the cleaning implements are inserted in the receivers in an orientation where the cleaning body is headfirst. Since for instance cleaning a toilet bowl with the cleaning implement is basically performed in a wet environment, i.e. with the aid of water, the cleaning implement generally comprises a residual moisture after the cleaning operation, at least regularly in the region of the cleaning body. Even though, for instance, the toilet brush of the afore-mentioned DE 20 2005 011 730 U1 is intended to be arranged to be adhered with a minimum of liquid it must be generally expected that it is simply impossible to totally dry the cleaning implement after the cleaning procedure and before storing.

This may have the consequence that particularly the cleaning body is inserted in the receiver while still being moisty to store the cleaning implement. Over time, thus a considerable amount of liquid may be accumulated in the receiver for the cleaning implement which may be microbially contaminated. It must be therefore generally expected that, from a microbial point of view, particularly toilet bowls never can be totally and entirely cleaned.

Hence, in the receiver that serves to store or hold the cleaning implement, a high-grade microbially contaminated environment may be generated. Over time, this may have the effect that deposits may be formed at the cleaning implement, particularly at the cleaning body thereof, that may cause an unaesthetic impression. Even from a medical or hygienic point of view, a long-lasting microbial growth in the receiver for the cleaning implement or at the cleaning implement may be burdensome and may increase a potential risk of infection. This may particularly apply under consideration of the fact that the cleaning implements are generally stored in the receiver for a time that is a multiple of the time the cleaning implements are actually used for cleaning.

The antimicrobially effective substance may, however, play a part in contributing to prevent the growth of the microbial deposits at the cleaning implement or even to kill the microbial deposits.

Hence, the cleaning implement may be used over a longer period and also be kept in the receiver without looking from an aesthetic point of view “old” or even “contaminated”. At the same time, a potential risk of infection which may be generally caused by microbial pollution may be significantly reduced. Microbially infested cleaning implements may cause unpleasant odors, particularly in a moisty condition. Also such additional burdens may be reduced or even totally prevented by the antimicrobially effective substance.

As used herein, the term “antimicrobially effective substance” may generally involve substances that impair the fertility of microorganisms. This may involve a reduction of the fertility. An antimicrobially effective substance may be further arranged to totally or nearly prevent the multiplying of microorganisms. It may be further envisaged that the antimicrobially effective substance directly kills microorganisms. Antimicrobially effective substances may be for instance aimed against bacteria, against fungi, against yeast, and against other microorganisms, respectively.

The cleaning implement may be generally arranged as a manually operated device for cleaning toilets which generally does not require bristles. Insofar, the cleaning implement may be also referred to as bristle-less cleaning implement. However, the plurality of cleaning elements that are formed at the surface of the cleaning body may provide a sufficiently grip-providing contour that also enables to remove stuck contaminations.

The bristle-less design of the cleaning implement may enable a reduction of the manufacturing effort. Further, the bristle-less shape, at least of the cleaning body as such, may generally provide a reduced surface such that in total, for instance after a cleaning procedure, only a reduced amount of (potentially contaminated) liquid may stuck at the cleaning body, as compared with conventional toilet brushes. This measure may already reduce a microbial contamination.

According to a further embodiment, the antimicrobially effective substance is admixed to a support material of the cleaning implement or applied as a component of a coating to the support material.

It may be generally envisaged that the antimicrobially effective substance is embedded in a structure of the support material, wherein, for instance when contacting water, the antimicrobially effective substance may be dissolved from the support material. In this way, the support material as such may comprise a reservoir of the antimicrobially effective substance and may emit the same over a longer period of time. An admixture of the antimicrobially effective substance to the support material may have the further advantage that the support material that is already mixed with the antimicrobially effective substance may be processed, for instance by injection molding.

In the alternative, the antimicrobially effective substance may be applied as a component of a coating to the support material, particularly after molding the support material.

It goes without saying that the handle and the cleaning body generally may be at least substantially formed from the same support material. However, it also goes without saying that in accordance with an alternative embodiment for instance the handle may be composed of a first support material and the cleaning body may be substantially composed of a second support material. The antimicrobially effective substance may be admixed to at least the first support material or the second support material, or applied thereto by a coating.

It further goes without saying that the handle and the cleaning body basically may be provided with the same antimicrobially effective substance. However, it may be also envisaged that respective well-suited antimicrobially effective substances are selected for the handle and the cleaning body that are different from each other.

According to another embodiment, the cleaning body is formed from an elastic plastic material, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is admixed to the plastic material or applied as a component of a coating to the plastic material.

The cleaning body may comprise a certain inherent elasticity which may be caused for instance by characteristic material parameters of the plastic material or which may be caused by an appropriate geometric formation. In this way, the cleaning body may be sufficiently flexible even though the cleaning implement spares a bristle head. The cleaning body may be easily manufactured by injection molding. The plurality of cleaning elements may be an integral component of the cleaning body, and may be formed in the course of the injection molding operation.

According to a refinement, the handle is formed from a plastic material, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is at least partially admixed to the plastic material or applied as a component of a coating to the plastic material.

It goes without saying that the handle and the cleaning body may comprise different plastic materials (support materials). The handle and the cleaning body may however also be formed from the same plastic material.

The at least partial admixture or coating of the antimicrobially effective substance may play a part in contributing that also the handle is protected from excessive microbial contamination. Primarily in the region of the handle, particularly at the grip portion, the user contacts the cleaning implement. Insofar the design of the handle with the antimicrobially effective substance may impair or even prevent a transfer of microbes to the user.

In a preferred refinement, the antimicrobially effective substance may comprise silver-containing components that particularly comprise colloidal silver, and that may be arranged to emit silver ions.

Silver may be antimicrobially effective at a high grade. Particularly, colloidal silver is well-suited for coping with microbial contamination. Colloidal silver may comprise finest particles of silver or of silver-containing compounds. Silver and/or silver-containing compounds and/or their ions (cations) may be embedded in suitable materials. The particles may be emitted over long-lasting periods of time and develop their antimicrobial impact.

Further metals and their ions, respectively, may be antimicrobially effective, for instance, copper and some copper alloys. According to a further embodiment, it is preferred that the antimicrobially effective substance comprises copper-containing components that may be arranged to emit copper ions.

It goes without saying that further components may be admixed to the silver-containing antimicrobially effective substance, such as magnesium, aluminium or zinc oxide.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning body is at least partially provided with antimicrobially effective viscose fibers, particularly with viscose fibers that are based on wood pulp that is obtained from bamboo or beech wood.

According to a further embodiment, the antimicrobially effective substance comprises polychlorinated phenoxy phenols.

This may involve, for instance, Triclosan which is antimicrobially effective. It goes without saying that the antimicrobially effective substance may be formed by further natural or synthetic substances or compounds.

In a refinement, the antimicrobially effective substance is embedded in a carrier matrix that comprises zeolites.

Particularly, silver ions may be embedded in or enclosed in the zeolites. In this way, the zeolite may act as a depot and emit the antimicrobially effective substance over a longer period of time. Hence, the antimicrobial impact of the cleaning implement may be maintained for a long period of time.

In a preferred refinement, the antimicrobially effective substance is embedded in calcinated synthetic zeolite.

According to a further embodiment, at least the handle or the cleaning body are substantially formed from a polyolefin material, particularly from polyethylene or from polypropylene.

It goes without saying that basically also other suitable plastic or elastic plastic materials may be utilized. Further, also fiber reinforcement, particularly a glass-fiber reinforcement, may be envisaged. It may be also envisaged to utilize suitable compounds.

Polyethylene or polypropylene are widely available and may be easily processed with machines. Intermediate products, particularly granules, may be mixed with small components of the antimicrobial substance without inducing a significant change of processing parameters. Hence, polyethylene or polypropylene are a suitable support material.

It goes without saying that a wear-inhibiting or a strength-enhancing coating may be provided at least at the handle or the cleaning body. This may involve for instance a coating with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The coating may further play a part in contributing that a surface tension of the handle or the cleaning body is reduced. In this way, the amount of liquid that may stick at the cleaning implement may be reduced.

According to an alternative embodiment, the cleaning body is at least sectionally composed of a silicone-like support material, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance may be embedded in the silicone-like support material.

In a preferred refinement, the cleaning body at least sectionally comprises a bristle-less nubby surface that is provided with cleaning elements that are arranged as elevated knobs that particularly comprise a round profile in their extension direction.

The nubby shape of the cleaning body may improve the cleaning efficiency. This may be accomplished without a substantial increase of the surface of the cleaning body. The knobs may be particularly arranged in a half-spherical shape, a spherical segment shape or a similar shape. The knobs may extend basically normal (perpendicular) to the surface of the cleaning body. The knobs may be appropriately blunted with the surface of the cleaning body to enable only few opportunities for liquids to stick thereto. It goes without saying that the knobs may be integrally formed components of the cleaning body. The knobs may be arranged on the surface of the cleaning body in a manner spaced apart from each other. The knobs may be however also arranged such that neighboring knobs contact each other or at least partially blend into each other.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning body comprises on its surface a structured arrangement of cleaning elements that are particularly arranged in rows or in a fashion staggered to each other.

The cleaning elements may particularly involve knobs. The cleaning body may be provided with cleaning elements or knobs at least in regions that may contact the cleaning object in the cleaning procedure.

According to a further embodiment the cleaning body comprises a tongue-like base body that extends from a bottom that is coupled to the handle, wherein the base body comprises a main extension direction that substantially coincides with a main extension direction of the handle.

In this way, a favorable handling and a good cleaning efficiency may be achieved. It may be also envisaged that the main extension direction of the base body is inclined with respect to the main extension direction of the handle and/or that both are arranged at an acute angle with respect to each other. It may be further envisaged that, in the alternative or in addition, already the handle comprises a bending, an offset or generally a curved extension.

The base body may be arranged in a beak-like or a cup-shaped fashion, for instance. In this way, also constrictions may be reached and cleaned.

According to a further embodiment, the cleaning body comprises a base body comprising a substantially half-ellipsoid shape.

It goes without saying that the cleaning body may be generally arranged in the form of an ellipsoid section. For instance, the base body may comprise an arrangement that resembles an ellipsoid that is traversely cut with respect to its longest main axis. The based (imaginary) ellipsoid may be arranged as an ellipsoid that is flattened or leveled in the direction of one of its main axes that is arranged transverse to the longest main axis. Also in this way, the tongue-like or beak-like shape may be achieved. In an alternative embodiment, the base body comprises a profile that is arranged in an almond-like or eye-like fashion. In other words, the profile may be basically elliptical or oval, but may be pointed or run out in a pointed fashion at its ends that are connected by the longest main axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning body comprises at least one cavity that is delimited by at least a wall portion.

In this way, the cleaning body may comprise an increased elasticity and may be, for instance, easily deformable in the course of the cleaning operation to be able to reach any of the to-be-cleaned surfaces of the cleaning object.

It goes without saying that the cavity does not necessarily have to be arranged as a cavity that is hermetically closed to the outside. Rather, the cavity may comprise a defined weakening of the material or a weakening of a wall thickness that may provide the cleaning body in total with an increased flexibility.

It may be further envisaged that the cleaning body is arranged as a closed hollow body and comprises a wall thickness in the range of about 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably of about 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm. Also with this embodiment, the closed hollow body does not necessarily have to be arranged as a hollow body that is hermetically sealed to the outside.

According to a further embodiment, the handle and the cleaning body are coupled to each other in a positive-locking fashion.

In this way, a fixed connection between the handle and the cleaning body may be achieved without the need of separate fastening elements. The connection between the handle and the cleaning body may be achieved for instance by back-injection molding. This may involve that initially one of both components is manufactured, for instance with the formation of suitable positive-locking contours. The already manufactured component may serve as an insert for the manufacturing of the second component, for instance. By means of a suitable positive-locking contour, the second component may be arranged at the first component in an undercut fashion. The positive-locking coupling may be also achieved by an appropriate assembly of already manufactured components, for instance by snap-hooks and the like. Generally, an existing elasticity of the component may be utilized to connect the components in a positive-locking fashion.

The toilet cleaning implement may be arranged in accordance with further aspects. It may be envisaged that the antimicrobially effective substance comprises copper-containing components and is particularly arranged to emit copper ions. According to a further alternative embodiment, the antimicrobially effective substance comprises silver-containing components and also copper-containing components and may be arranged to emit silver ions and copper ions.

The antimicrobially effective substance may further comprise viscose fibers or granulate from viscose. Particularly, the viscose fibers may be produced from wood pulp which may be based on bamboo wood or beech wood. Viscose fibers that are based on bamboo or beech wood may be antimicrobial, particularly antibacterially effective. The viscose fibers may be further provided with antimicrobially effective substances, for instance with silver particles and/or with copper particles. Hence, the viscose fibers may also act as a carrier for antimicrobially effective nanoparticles.

It is particularly preferred that the handle of the cleaning implement is at least sectionally provided with the antimicrobially effective substance. Also at the handle the antimicrobially effective substance may be embedded in a carrier matrix that contains zeolites.

The cleaning implement may be arranged flexible in such a way that the cleaning of urinals is enabled. This may be achieved, on the one hand, by the measure that the cleaning body is, at least sectionally, sufficiently flexible and deformable. It goes without saying that the cleaning body may however comprise a sufficiently high elasticity to assume its original shape when a load is removed. It may be however also envisaged that a coupling portion between the handle and the cleaning body is arranged such that the total cleaning body, or at least substantial portions of the cleaning body, is pivotable with respect to the handle. This may, of course, involve an increased deformability of the cleaning body as such. In this way, cleaning of toilet bowls and urinals also under the rim may be further facilitated.

Some of the afore-described embodiments may have the further advantage that in addition to the antimicrobial impact a reduction and/or prevention of undesired odors may be achieved. This may particularly defer and/or entirely avoid the formation of excessive smell pollution when the cleaning implement is stored for a long period of time in a storage, such as a receiver.

In a further preferred embodiment of the cleaning implement, the cleaning body at least sectionally, or entirely, consists of a silicone-like support material, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is embedded in the silicone-like support material. The antimicrobially effective substance may particularly include silver-containing components, components that are arranged to emit silver ions, copper-containing components and/or components that are arranged to emit copper ions. By way of example, a silicone material from which the cleaning body may be at least partially sectionally formed may comprise fibers having silver components and/or copper components.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the cleaning implement, the cleaning body comprises a tongue-like base body that is particularly tapered to a point at the side thereof facing away from the handle, wherein at the base body, particularly in a plane of the base body that coincides with the main extension direction of the base body and an area of a maximum width of the base body, at least one wing-like extension is formed which is flatter than the base body as such. Also the at least one wing-like extension may be provided with elevated cleaning elements in accordance with one of the afore-mentioned aspects. The wing-shaped extension may comprise a higher flexibility than the base body of the cleaning body and may be consequently even more easily inserted in narrow or curved regions of a to-be-cleaned object. The base body may, however, provide the wing-shaped extension with sufficient elasticity and/or stiffness.

It is to be understood that the previously mentioned features and the features mentioned in the following may not only be used in a certain combination, but also in other combinations or as isolated features without leaving the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and exemplary embodiments are disclosed in the description below with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cleaning implement;

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged detail view of the cleaning implement in accordance with FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a broken representation of a further cleaning implement in an inclined view;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the cleaning implement in accordance with FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the cleaning implement in accordance with FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a partially cross-sectional side view of a cleaning implement that is modified with respect to the representation of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 a partial cross-sectional view of a cleaning object; and

FIG. 8 a partial cross-sectional view of a further cleaning implement that is modified with respect to the representation of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a cleaning implement in a perspective view which is as a whole denoted by 10.

The cleaning implement 10 may be particularly arranged as a WC cleaning implement or a toilet cleaning implement which is arranged for cleaning flush bowls of sanitary installations, particularly toilet bowls. Toilet flush bowls may be suitably combined with toilet tanks so as to provide a water throughput that is adapted to the cleaning procedures. Conventional flush bowls comprise shapes and dimensions the person skilled in the art is readily aware of. More particularly, a range of conventional standard dimensions is present on the market to which cleaning implements or cleaning brushes are adapted.

The cleaning implement 10 comprises a handle 12 that is provided with a grip portion 14. At the end of the handle 12 that is facing away from the grip portion 14, the handle 12 is coupled to a cleaning body 16.

The grip portion 14 may be generally arranged as an integrally-formed component of the handle 12. The grip portion 14 may, on the one hand, merely comprise an end portion of the handle 12, where a user typically grasps the cleaning implement 10. However, the grip portion 14 may also comprise design features that simplify guiding and handling the cleaning implement 10, refer also to FIG. 6.

FIG. 2 shows an enlarged partial view of the cleaning implement 10 according to FIG. 1. By way of example, the cleaning body 16 may be associated with a fastening portion 18. The cleaning body 16 may comprise a base body 20 that is associated with a bottom 21. In the region of the bottom 21, a back surface 23 may be formed at the cleaning body 16. The base body 20 may be provided with a surface 22.

At the surface 22 of the base body 20, a plurality or variety of cleaning elements 24 may be formed. The cleaning elements 24 may be particularly arranged as integrally formed components of the cleaning body 16 and/or of its base body 20. The cleaning elements 24 may be particularly arranged as knob-shaped elevations. The knob-shaped elevations may be basically spread over partial regions of the surface 22 or the whole surface 22 in an even or an uneven pattern. By way of example, the cleaning elements 24 may be arranged in rows, for instance in rows and columns. The rows and columns of the cleaning elements 24 may be aligned with each other. However, also an embodiment may be envisaged in which the cleaning elements 24 are arranged in rows and columns that are staggered with respect to each other. The cleaning elements 24 may be arranged at the surface 22 of the base body 20 in an arbitrary or organized fashion. It may be envisaged that the back surface 23 of the bottom 21 is not provided with cleaning elements 24. In contrast to the representation of FIG. 2, it may be however also envisaged to form cleaning elements 24, for instance knobs or the like, also at the back surface 23.

The knob-shaped cleaning elements 24 may be arranged, for instance, as hemispheres, sections of spheres or in a similar fashion. Each of the cleaning elements 24 may substantially comprise a circular cross section in its extension that is normal (perpendicular) to the surface 22. Further alternative cross sections may be envisaged, for instance, oval cross sections, angular cross sections and the like.

In contrast to the view shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning elements 24 may be blunt with the surface 22 and comprise smooth transitions. The knob-shaped cleaning elements 24 may improve the cleaning efficiency of the cleaning implement 10, whereas an effective outer surface of the cleaning body 16, to which basically liquids may stick, is not excessively enlarged.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate further views of a cleaning implement 10 which may basically correspond to the cleaning implement 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the handle 12 of the cleaning implement 10 is respectively shown in a broken view. In FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the cleaning elements 24 at the surface 22 of the cleaning body 16 are not shown for illustrative purposes. However, it is preferred that the surface 22 of the cleaning implement 10 shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 is also provided with the cleaning elements 24.

The base body 20 of the cleaning body 16 may be arranged in the form of a half ellipsoid or a section of an ellipsoid. An (imaginary) largest main axis of the ellipsoid may coincide with the longitudinal axis of the handle 12. The main axis and the longitudinal axis may alternatively be arranged at a small angle and inclined with respect to each other. In this way, a slight inclination of the cleaning body 16 with respect to the handle 12 may be achieved. The ellipsoid the design of the base body 20 of the cleaning body 16 is based on may have two further main axes in addition to its longest main axis that may particularly comprise different lengths. In this way, the underlying ellipsoid may be arranged as a flattened and/or oblate ellipsoid having a shape that is not rotationally symmetric, refer particularly to the top view of the cleaning implement 10 shown in FIG. 5.

It may be however also envisaged that the base body 20 of the cleaning body 16 is provided with an almond-shaped profile comprising pointy ends. A respective embodiment is indicated in FIG. 5 by dashed lines that are assigned to a cross section of an alternative base body 20′ of a modified cleaning body 16′.

According to a further embodiment, the base body 20, 20′ of the cleaning body 16, 16′ may comprise at least one wing-like extension having a profile and a main extension direction that coincides with the main extension direction of the base body 20, 20′ in its profile. In other words, the at least one wing-like extension may be arranged as an additional lateral edge at the base body 20, 20′ of the cleaning body. The wing-like extension may be particularly formed in regions of the base body 20, 20′ that are facing away from the handle 12. Also the wing-like extension may comprise a surface that may be at least partially provided with elevated cleaning elements, for instance, with knobs or the like. The base body 20, 20′ and the at least one wing-like extension that is extending therefrom may be integrally formed and mutually define the cleaning body 16. The at least one wing-like extension may be also arranged as a cleaning lip comprising an average material thickness of about 0.3 mm to about 1.0 mm. The cleaning lip may be pointy at its edge.

It goes without saying that the cleaning body 16 alternatively may comprise a modified shape. In particular, the cleaning body 16 may be arranged in a tongue-like, beak-like, cup-like or similar fashion, for instance. The cleaning body 16 may comprise an elongated shape having a longitudinal extension that is arranged as an extension of the handle 12. Transverse to its longitudinal extension, the cleaning body 16 may comprise a cross section that may be particularly tapered towards an end of the cleaning body 16 that is facing away from the grip portion 14. By way of example, the profiles may be basically arranged in an elliptical fashion, an at least partially round fashion, but also in an angular fashion, for instance as a triangle, quadrangle, or an N-gon including or not including rounded edges. It is preferred that the profile comprises two main extension directions, one of which is significantly greater than the other one. In this way, the flattened shape of the base body 20 may be achieved.

At least the handle 12 or the cleaning body 16 may be at least partially provided with an antimicrobially effective substance. Same may be admixed to a basic material or applied as a component of a coating to outer surfaces of the handle 12 or the cleaning body 16. The handle 12 and the cleaning body 16 may be basically formed from a plastic material. This may involve for the handle 12 and the cleaning body 16 the same plastic material or rather different plastic materials. For instance, the handle 12 may be substantially formed from polypropylene. The cleaning body 16 may be substantially formed from polyethylene. The plastic materials may be fiber reinforced, particularly glass fiber reinforced.

According to one embodiment, the handle is formed from polypropylene that is provided with a silver-containing antimicrobially effective substance. The antimicrobially effective substance may be admixed in small amounts. The material for the handle 12 may be particularly an antimicrobially effective polypropylene which is, for instance, marketed under the brand name “Tecacomp PP AM”.

The cleaning body 16 may be formed from a polyethylene or from a similar plastic material that is sufficiently flexible. Also this plastic material can be reinforced with fibers, particularly with glass fibers. The plastic material may be provided with at least one antimicrobially effective substance. According to one embodiment, the antimicrobially effective substance may be a silver-containing substance which is, for instance, marketed under the brand name “Ultra-Fresh CA-16”. These or similar substances may be admixed to a support material, or applied as a component of a coating to the support material.

Antimicrobially effective plastic materials may be processed in analogy to conventional known plastic materials even though antimicrobially effective substances are admixed thereto that cause the antimicrobial impact. In this way, simple manufacturing may be achieved, e.g. by injection molding.

Both the handle 12 and the cleaning body 16 may be provided with the antimicrobially effective substance. In this way, a microbial contamination of both the cleaning body 16 and the handle 12 may be reduced or almost totally prevented. It goes without saying that particularly the handle 12 does not necessarily have to be entirely provided with the antimicrobially effective substance. It may be envisaged that the antimicrobially effective substance is primarily introduced in regions of the handle 12 that are immediately associated with the cleaning body 16.

In a particular embodiment, the antimicrobially effective substance is embedded in a carrier matrix. This may involve, for instance, a zeolite which may so-to-say act as a depot. A zeolite is particularly suitable to receive silver-containing antimicrobially effective substances. A zeolite may receive silver ions and emit same over a long period of time. In this way, the antimicrobial impact may be maintained for a long period.

FIG. 6 shows a cleaning implement 10 a that is modified with respect to the cleaning implement 10 according to FIG. 3. The cleaning body 16 of the cleaning implement 10 a may have an outer shape that may basically correspond to the shape of the cleaning body 16 according to FIG. 2 or 3.

The cleaning implement 10 a shown in FIG. 6 is provided with a grip portion 14 that comprises a handle grip 30, for instance. The handle grip 30 may comprise a barrel-like shape, for instance. Further design elements may be provided at the handle grip 30 to simplify gripping and grasping by the user. The handle grip 30 may further comprise at least one grip element 32 that may prevent slipping-off. In this way, the user may apply larger forces to the cleaning implement 10 and the cleaning body 16 in the course of the cleaning operation. In particular, the handle grip 30 may comprise two grip elements 32 that are spaced from each other, and be arranged therebetween to be taken up by a hand of the user.

Also with the cleaning body 16 of FIG. 6, for illustrative purposes no representation of single cleaning elements 24 (refer also to FIG. 2) is provided.

The cleaning body 16 may be for instance arranged as a hollow body and may comprise at least one cavity 34. The cavity 34 may be externally delimited by at least one wall portion 36. The arrangement of the cleaning body 16 as a hollow body including the cavity 34 and relatively thin wall portions 36 may further effect an increased flexibility of the cleaning body 16. In this way, the cleaning body 16 may be deflected or bent with relatively little force in the course of the cleaning operation to reach any geometric elements of a cleaning object. In FIG. 6, an arrow that is designated by 38 exemplifies possible deflections of the cleaning body 16 that may be caused by the user when cleaning through respective impacts on the grip portion 14.

The cleaning body 16 may be arranged as a hollow cleaning body having a wall portion 36 including an even or an uneven wall thickness. By way of example, hollow parts may be produced by blow molding or by similar processes. Manufacturing at least partially hollow parts may be further achieved by deforming methods. It may be further envisaged to manufacture a hollow cleaning body 16 for instance by bonding separate parts, particularly half-shapes. Bonding methods may particularly include welding of plastic materials.

The cleaning implement 10 a may be substantially composed of two separate components, namely the handle 12 including the grip portion 14, and the cleaning body 16. In this way, the cleaning implement 10 a may provide a particularly simple structure. It may be generally envisaged to form the cleaning implement 10 a merely as a single integrally formed part. However, the two-part structure may be regarded as a good trade off between manufacturing effort and a potential freedom of design when designing the components.

By way of example, the handle 12 may be at least partially provided with a surface coating 40 which may comprise antimicrobially effective components. For instance, the cleaning body 16 may be at least partially provided with a surface coating 41 that comprises antimicrobially effective components. These embodiments may be regarded as a suitable alternative to the embodiments that involve antimicrobially effective substances that are admixed to a support material, i.e. for instance to a support plastic material.

FIG. 7 shows a partial view of a cleaning object 42. In particular, the cleaning object 42 may be arranged as a flush bowl or a flush basin of a toilet. This may be arranged as a body made of stone ware or porcelain. However, also flush bowls are known that are made from metal materials or from plastic materials. The cleaning object 42 comprises a wall body 44 that ends in its (upper) rim region in an approximately U-shaped bent offset region 46. The bent offset region 46 may be arranged such that a clearance space is formed which is hardly accessible for cleaning brushes or similar conventional cleaning implements. With conventional arrangements, the cleaning implement is initially inserted from the top side when conducting the cleaning procedure, refer to an arrow designated by 47. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the cleaning implement 10 is designed such that it is arranged to be deflected or bent to be able to engage the clearance space that is caused by the bent offset region 46, in an orientation that is at least partially opposite to its original insertion direction. Such a movement is indicated by a dashed arrow that is designated by 48. Colloquially, it is often said that a toilet bowl is to be cleaned “up to the back of the upper rim”.

The sufficiently flexible arrangement of the cleaning body 16 of the cleaning implement 10 enables to deflect and/or bent same to be able to clean the clearance space and further hardly accessible positions of the cleaning object 42. With relatively little force, the cleaning body 16 may be bent and/or folded, refer to the arrow 38 in FIG. 6. This may be achieved by “pressing” the cleaning implement 10 against an inner region of the wall body 44 that is arranged in a concave manner. In this way, the cleaning object 42 may be also cleaned behind the bent offset region 46, even though this region comprises undercuts, when viewed from a conventional insertion direction (refer to the arrow 47).

FIG. 8 exemplifies in a simplified way that the handle 12 and the cleaning body 16 may be assembled to each other in a positive-locking fashion at the cleaning implement 10 b. For this purpose, for instance the fastening portion 18 of the handle 12 comprises a first collar 50 or a second collar 52. Between the collars 50 and 52 a positive-locking element 54 may be arranged. This may involve a square, a star-shaped design element, and the like. Generally, the collars 50, 52 may at least partially laterally (radially) protrude over the positive-locking element 54. In this way, an undercut may be provided. By way of example, the bottom 21 of the cleaning body 16 may engage this undercut. In this way, a loosening of the cleaning body 16 from the handle 12 may be prevented.

The positive-locking element 54 may be adapted to the opening 56 of the bottom 21 of the cleaning body 16 such that drilling or a further relative movement between the handle 12 and the bottom 21 of the cleaning body 16 is prevented. In this way, a great guiding accuracy for the user may be provided when guiding the cleaning implement 10 b.

The connection between the handle 12 and the cleaning body 16 as shown in FIG. 8 may be manufactured for instance by back-injection and/or over molding. For this end, it may be envisaged to initially produce the handle 12 including the fastening portion 18. Later on, the handle 12 including the fastening portion 18 may be appropriately inserted in a mold for the cleaning body 16. When manufacturing the cleaning body 16, the cleaning body 16 may, at its bottom 21, immediately engage the fastening portion 18 to secure the positive-locking connection. 

1. A bristle-less cleaning implement, comprising a handle comprising a grip portion, and an at least partially flexible cleaning body, wherein the cleaning body is attached to the handle at an end thereof that is facing away from the grip portion, wherein the cleaning body comprises a bottom that is coupled to the handle, and a tongue-like base body extending from the bottom, wherein the cleaning body further comprises a surface on which, at least partially, a plurality of elevated cleaning elements is provided, wherein the cleaning body is provided with an antimicrobially effective substance, wherein the cleaning body is formed from an elastic plastic material, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is admixed to the plastic material or applied to the plastic material as a component of a coating, and wherein the base body comprises a main extension direction, wherein the handle comprises a main extension direction, and wherein the main extension direction of the base body substantially coincides with the main extension direction of the handle.
 2. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is admixed to a support material of the cleaning body.
 3. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is applied as a component of a coating to a support material of the cleaning body.
 4. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is provided with an antimicrobially effective substance, wherein the handle is formed from plastic material, and wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is at least partially admixed to the plastic material.
 5. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle is provided with an antimicrobially effective substance, wherein the handle is formed from plastic material, and wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is at least partially applied as a component of a coating to the plastic material.
 6. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance comprises components selected from the group consisting of silver-containing components, copper-containing components, and polychlorinated phenoxy phenols.
 7. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance comprises silver-containing components that are arranged to emit silver ions.
 8. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance comprises copper-containing components that are arranged to emit copper ions.
 9. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning body is at least partially provided with antimicrobially effective viscose fibers.
 10. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning body is at least partially provided with antimicrobially effective viscose fibers that are based on wood pulp that is obtained from bamboo or beech wood.
 11. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is embedded in a carrier matrix that comprises zeolites.
 12. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the handle or the cleaning body are substantially formed from a polyolefin material.
 13. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning body is at least sectionally composed of a silicone-like support material, and wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is embedded in the silicone-like support material.
 14. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning body at least sectionally comprises a bristle-less nubby surface that is provided with cleaning elements that are arranged as elevated knobs.
 15. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning body comprises a structured arrangement of cleaning elements that are arranged in rows or in a fashion staggered to each other.
 16. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning body comprises a base body comprising a substantially half-ellipsoid shape.
 17. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning body comprises at least one cavity that is delimited by at least one wall portion.
 18. The cleaning implement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handle and the cleaning body are coupled to each other in a positive-locking fashion.
 19. A bristle-less toilet cleaning implement, comprising a handle comprising a grip portion, and an at least partially flexible cleaning body, wherein the cleaning body is attached to the handle at an end thereof that is facing away from the grip portion, wherein the cleaning body comprises a tongue-like base body comprising a substantially half-ellipsoid shape, and a bottom that is coupled to the handle, wherein the tongue-like base body extends from the bottom, wherein the base body comprises a surface on which, at least partially, a plurality of elevated cleaning elements is provided, wherein the cleaning body is provided with an antimicrobially effective substance, wherein the cleaning body is composed of a silicone-like support material, and wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is embedded in the silicone-like support material, and wherein the base body further comprises a main extension direction, wherein the handle comprises a main extension direction, and wherein the main extension direction of the base body substantially coincides with the main extension direction of the handle.
 20. A bristle-less toilet cleaning implement, comprising: a handle comprising a grip portion, and an at least partially flexible cleaning body, wherein the cleaning body is attached to the handle at an end thereof that is facing away from the grip portion, wherein the cleaning body comprises a bottom that is coupled to the handle, and a tongue-like base body extending from the bottom, wherein the cleaning body further comprises a surface on which, at least partially, a plurality of elevated cleaning elements is provided, wherein the cleaning body is provided with an antimicrobially effective substance, wherein the cleaning body is formed from an elastic plastic material, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance is admixed to the plastic material, wherein the antimicrobially effective substance comprises silver-containing components that are arranged to emit silver ions, and wherein the base body comprises a main extension direction, wherein the handle comprises a main extension direction, and wherein the main extension direction of the base body substantially coincides with the main extension direction of the handle. 